Lawsuit: New TennCare rates endanger hemophilia patients

NASHVILLE — A Tennessee lawsuit claims the state is breaking federal law and endangering people with bleeding disorders like hemophilia by reimbursing less for prescription blood-clotting drugs through its Medicaid program.

The lawsuit says if reimbursement methods implemented April 1 aren’t blocked, at least seven specialty pharmacies aiding about half of TennCare’s bleeding disorder patients will have to withdraw from serving them and close Tennessee operations.

It says TennCare is targeting clotting-factor pharmacies to save $12 million to $15 million annually.